High Elves for Horned Rat in July

Another tournament coming up in July thanks again to Pete's willingness to organise and run these things. Most likely going to be a continuation of the Mighty Empires campaign at Runefang. Going to take basically the same list with some minor changes item wise to improve units slightly. Only barrier to building and practicing with a list right now is not knowing whether the Runefang comp restrictions will still apply - particularly the 30% core and 350pt max unit cost ones.

If they don't - fingers crossed - I'm planning (at this stage) then big changes from Runefang are addition of Banner of Sorcery and increase to size of Phoenix Guard. Not having the banner hurt in a few games as did not being able to have a decently sized PG unit. Silver Wand on Archmage gives me 5 spells, and the Banner on the White Lions makes them Stubborn on L9 rather than L8 and less reliant on the General.

2000pts for Horned Rat (no Comp)

Archmage
w. Silver Wand, Talisman of Preservation, Lore of Life

BSB
w. Guardian Phoenix, Armour of Caledor, GW

Spears x25
w. Full Command

Archers x13
w. Mu, SB, Banner of Eternal Flame

Archers x10
w. Mu

Phoenix Guard x25
w. Full command, Banner of Sorcery

White Lions x21
w. Full Command, Ironcurse Icon, Standard of Discipline

Dragon Princes x5
w. Mu

TOTAL 1,996

However, if the same comp rules apply then I plan on going with something a lot more radical purely for the sake of having some fun. Ill test it out first of course, but have been tinkering with the following idea.

2000pts for Horned Rat (w. Runefang Comp)

Archmage
w. L4, Silver Wand, Talisman of Preservation, Lore of Life

BSB
w. Barded Steed, Helm of Fortune, Guardian Phoenix, Halberd, Shield, Dragon Armour

Seaguard x21
w. Full Command, Shields, Banner of Eternal Flame

Seaguard x21
w. Full Command, Shields

Phoenix Guard x17
w. Full Command, Banner of Sorcery

Dragon Princes x8
w. Full Command, Ironcurse Icon, Razor Standard

Ellyrian Reavers x5
w. Musician, Bows, Spears

Eagle

Eagle

TOTAL 1,996 (30.4% core)

This is pretty much an all my eggs in one basket list heavily reliant on the movement phase. But no-one is going to want to get hit by an 8 strong DP unit with a BSB. Going 6 models wide (standard width to get maximum into front rank combat) your looking at 17 S5 AP & 9 S3 AP (from Horses) attacks on the charge and 14 S3 AP, 3 S5 AP & 9 S3 AP attacks in each round after that - all with re-rolls as DP & the BSB are all I6. All from a unit with re-rolls from BSB and a 2+ AS. Flank it with Eagles and Reavers and its full of goodness. Now imagine that unit with +4 Toughness from Throne of Vines and Flesh to Stone and it gets really nasty - T7 with 2+ AS anyone. Stick the Reavers in front of them using Vanguard and it gets even better.

It wont work all the time but it will be a hell of a lot of fun to try. I might even take them if there arent any comp restrictions. Either way it gives me an excuse to start painting my Reavers, not that I needed one.